|
By FRANK ASAELI
TELIKOM (PNG) Ltd, Pangtel and the
Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) will disclose the
outcome of a proposal for a university broadband service on Sept 11.
A committee composed of vice-chancellors from six universities in the
country had earlier requested for a broadband licence to operate an
internet facility for university use.
The internet project took 14 years of discussions and consultations.
Divine Word University (DWU) director of research and quality assurance
Dr Roger Vallance yesterday presented the proposal to Telikom PNG Ltd,
Pangtel and the ICCC for approval at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.
Dr Vallance was acting on behalf of the chairman of the vice-chancellors
committee, Fr Jan Czuba and the other vice-chancellors.
University of Technology vice-chancellor Misty Baloiloi argued that it
had taken 14 years discussing the broadband issue without reaching a
resolution.
He said it was time to move on and that Telikom, Pangtel and ICCC be
given time to decide on the proposal.
The vice-chancellors had asked Telikom to give its consent to ICCC to
grant a licence through Pangtel to the newly-registered PNG-Academic and
Research Network (PNG-ARNet) company.
The new company, which will be operated by the vice-chancellors, intends
to provide internet services as soon as possible.
Dr William Tagis, director general of the Office of Higher Education,
said granting a licence for virtual learning would serve various
constituencies in different ways.
“New information and communication technologies were expected to boost
the residential collegiate experience by improving educational
services,” he said.
 
|
